Automated Food Storage Machine

ABSTRACT

A food storage machine is provided that includes a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioning assembly and a drive mechanism. The film delivery mechanism has a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material. The cutting mechanism is disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a first sealing bumper and a shuttle member with a cutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. The conditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to the conditioning assembly and configured to pivot upwards to contact the first sealing bumper of the cutting mechanism and to pivot downwards to contact a second sealing bumper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 14/126,692 filed on Dec. 16, 2013, which claimsbenefit of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US12/42602 filed on Jun. 15,2012, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/498,052 filed on Jun. 17, 2011. The entire disclosure of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/498,052 is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a food storage machine. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a food storage machinefor dispensing, evacuating and sealing bag material.

Background Information

Vacuum packaging appliances that evacuate air from containers holdingfood are becoming increasingly popular with households for foodpreservation and storage. The removal of the air delays spoilage andextends the life of the food. The appliances are typically used inconjunction with bag material that constitutes the container holding thefood. The bag material includes two stacked layers of thin, andoptionally transparent, plastic film that are sealed together on lateraledges. A length of the bag material that is suitable to hold the food iscut into the desired length with a blade, for example. One of the cutedges of the bag material is sealed by applying heat and pressure to thecut edge to form a storage bag. After the food is inserted in thestorage bag, the storage bag is fully sealed by applying heat andpressure to the remaining cut edges. Thus, the ends of the bag materialthat are cut (i.e. the transverse ends) are sealable to form a fullysealed bag. A vacuum may be applied to evacuate air from the storage bagbefore it is fully sealed.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved foodstorage machine that controllably dispenses, evacuates and seals bagmaterial. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as otherneeds, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A food storage machine is provided that basically comprises a filmdelivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioning assembly and adrive mechanism. The film delivery mechanism has a support cradle for aroll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bagmaterial. The feed roller assembly is disposed adjacent the supportcradle. The cutting mechanism is disposed adjacent the film deliverymechanism and has a first sealing bumper and a shuttle member with acutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transverselyacross the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. Theconditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film deliverymechanism and having a heater member for sealing a portion of the bagmaterial. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to theconditioning assembly and configured to pivot upwards to contact thefirst sealing bumper of the cutting mechanism and to pivot downwards tocontact a second sealing bumper.

In another embodiment, a food storage machine is provided that basicallycomprises a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioningassembly, a housing and a removable tray. The film delivery mechanismhas a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed rollerassembly for dispensing the bag material. The feed roller assembly isdisposed adjacent the support cradle. The cutting mechanism is disposedadjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a shuttle member with acutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transverselyacross the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. Theconditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film deliverymechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion of the bagmaterial. The housing has at least one slot sized for the bag materialand a receptacle cavity with its opening at a front side of the housing.The removable tray is slidably positioned in the receptacle cavity andconfigured to slide out of the receptacle cavity from the front side ofthe housing.

In yet another embodiment, a food storage machine is provided thatbasically comprises a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, aconditioning assembly, a housing and a vacuum remote assembly. The filmdelivery mechanism has a support cradle for a roll of bag material and afeed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material. The feed rollerassembly is disposed adjacent the support cradle. The cutting mechanismis disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a shuttlemember with a cutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cuttransversely across the bag material dispensed from the film deliverymechanism. The conditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below thefilm delivery mechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion ofthe bag material. The housing has at least one slot sized for the bagmaterial, a remote cavity with its opening at a front side of thehousing, and an inner cavity. The vacuum remote assembly has a hosemember coiled in the inner cavity of the housing, a nozzle member and anadapter member. The nozzle member and the adapter member are removablydisposed in the remote cavity.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a food storage machine accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the food storage machine of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the food storage machine ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a film delivery mechanism of the foodstorage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a cutting mechanism of the food storagemachine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a conditioning mechanism of the foodstorage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a heater member of the conditioningmechanism of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a drive mechanism of the food storagemachine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a removable tray of the food storagemachine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the food storage machine withthe conditioning assembly rotated in an upward position according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side cross sectional view of the food storage machine withthe conditioning assembly rotated in a downward position according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a vacuum remote assembly of the foodstorage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a food storage machine accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side cross sectional view of the food storage machine ofFIG. 13 with the conditioning assembly rotated in a center positionaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view of the food storage machine withthe conditioning assembly rotated in an upward position according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side cross sectional view of the food storage machine withthe conditioning assembly rotated in a downward position according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a heater member of a food storagemachine in an upward position according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the heater member of FIG. 17 in acenter position according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the heater member of FIG. 17 in adownward position according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An automated food storage machine 1 is provided that dispenses and sealsa bag material 2 in fewer steps while providing integrated storage forrolls of bag material. A user has control over dispensing bag material 2and less is wasted. The food storage machine 1 also simplifies vacuumsealing the bag material 2 and improves user access to dispensing,evacuating and sealing functions. The food storage machine 1 isstructured for stability on a countertop and compact for movement orstorage. In addition, the food storage machine 1 has an interior that iseasy to maintain and clean.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the food storage machine 1 is illustratedin accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The foodstorage machine 1 includes a housing 4, a film delivery mechanism 6, acutting mechanism 8, a conditioning (heater and vacuum) assembly 10, adrive mechanism 12, a removable tray 14, and a vacuum remote assembly16.

The housing 4 encloses the film delivery mechanism 6, the cuttingmechanism 8, the conditioning assembly 10, the drive mechanism 12, theremovable tray 14, and the vacuum remote assembly 16. The housing 4includes a front housing member 18, a bottom housing member 20, a tophousing member 22, first side housing member 24, second side housingmember 26 and a back housing member 28. The front housing member 18 isdisposed on a front side 30 of the automated food storage machine 1 andincludes a control panel 32.

The control panel 32 is a user interface for controlling variousfunctions of the food storage machine 1. The control panel 32 providesexteriorly exposed buttons 34 for access by the user. Within the housing4, the control panel 32 can include a microcomputer with an operatingcontrol program that controls the pumping, sealing and dispensing, asdiscussed herein. The control panel 32 can also include otherconventional components such as a power circuit (not shown), an inputinterface circuit (not shown), an output interface circuit (not shown),and one or more storage devices (not shown), such as a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The powercircuit is connected to an AC or DC power source and directs power tothe motors, sensors, etc. described herein, as well as provide power toother circuits and components of the control panel 32. The inputinterface circuit can be electrically connected to the buttons 34 foruser control. The output interface circuit can be electrically connectedto a display (not shown), for example. The storage device storesprocessing results and control programs that are run by the processorcircuit. The control panel 32 is capable of selectively controlling anyof the cutting mechanism 8, the conditioning assembly 10 the drivemechanism 12 or the vacuum remote assembly 16 in accordance with thecontrol program. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms for thecontrol panel 32 can be any combination of hardware and software thatwill carry out the functions of the present invention.

The front housing member 18 forms apertures of various sizes and shapes.Specifically, the front housing member 18 forms opening slot(s) 36, aremote cavity 38 and a receptacle (tray) cavity 40. The opening slot(s)36 is/are elongated to receive a width of the bag material. The remotecavity 38 is formed by walls 42 that surround a portion of the vacuumremote assembly 16. An opening 44 of the cavity 38 provides access to aportion of the vacuum remote assembly 16. In the remote cavity 38, aremote stand 46 extends upwardly from a bottom surface 48. The remotestand 46 is configured and arranged to hold a portion of the vacuumremote assembly 16.

The receptacle cavity 40 is formed below the opening slot(s) 36. Thereceptacle cavity 40 is sized and configured to receive the removabletray 14. A portion of the removable tray 14 slides through thereceptacle cavity 40 and rests underneath the conditioning assembly 10for collection of waste (e.g. juices from food or solid foodparticulates separated during sealing and vacuuming).

The front housing member 18, the first and second side members 24, 26and the back housing member 28 rest on the bottom housing member 20. Thebottom housing member 20 is sized and configured to allow the foodstorage machine 1 to sit on a household countertop. The bottom housingmember 20 has multiple rubber feet 50 to stabilize the food storagemachine 1 and grip the countertop.

The top housing member 22 is disposed on a top side 52 of the foodstorage machine 1. At least a portion of the top housing member 22 actsas a door to the interior of the food storage machine 1. Specifically,the top housing member 22 includes a door section 54 that is pivotallydisposed to provide access to the film delivery mechanism 6 formaintenance and cleaning, for example. The door section 54 is hingedlyconnected to the back housing member 28 via hinge 58 at a back portion56 of the door section 54. The hingedly connected door section 54 pivotsto provide access to the interior of the food storage machine 1. Otherconnections that provide pivoting action of the door member 54 may beused. The top housing member 22 or the door member 54 can include alatch (not shown) to secure a closed position of the door member 54.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first side housing member 24 includes an innercavity 60 that accommodates a portion of the vacuum remote assembly 16.It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from thisdisclosure that the remote cavity 38 can be provided as part of the sidehousing member 24, 26 rather than the front housing member 18.

The back housing member 28 is located at a back side 62 of the foodstorage machine 1. In this embodiment, the back housing member 28 andthe side housing members 24, 26 are integrally formed with the tophousing member 22 as a single unitary member. However, the back housingmember 28 and the side housing members 24, 26 can be separate membersthat connect to each other or the top housing member 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the film delivery mechanism 6 supports aroll of bag material 2 and dispenses or retracts the bag material 2. Thefilm delivery mechanism 6 includes a roll compartment member 64, a feedroller assembly 66 and a free roller assembly 68. The roll compartmentmember 64 includes a contoured support cradle 70 for the roll of bagmaterial 2 to rest thereon and a cradle cover 72. The cradle cover 72 isdisposed at an inner face 74 of the door section 54.

The contoured support cradle 70 has an end portion that is a lower guideportion 76. The cradle cover 72 includes an end portion that is an upperguide portion 78. The lower and upper guide portions 76, 78 are spacedapart to form a space for the bag material 2 to slide therethrough.

The feed roller assembly 66 is attached to the cutting mechanism 6.Specifically, the feed roller assembly 66 is rotatably attached to thecutting mechanism 6 and disposed adjacent the free roller assembly 68.The feed roller assembly 66 includes multiple first rollers 80, a firstshaft 82 and a motor 84. The first rollers 80 are generally tubularshaped with inner diameters 86 sized to receive the first shaft 82. Thefirst shaft 82 extends through inner diameters 86 of the tubular firstrollers 80 and attaches to the cradle cover 70 at apertures 87. Thefirst rollers 80 are non-rotatable with respect to the first shaft 82.The first shaft 82 is disposed at the cradle cover 72 and is rotated bythe motor 84. The motor 84 is electrically connected to the controlpanel 32. The motor 84 selectively rotates the first shaft 82 and firstrollers 80 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. That is, theuser can control the motor 84 to either dispense or retract the bagmaterial 2 by rolling the roll and feeding the bag material 2 in adirection for dispensing or a direction for retracting. Specifically,one or more of the buttons 34 of the control panel 32 is communicativelyconnected to the motor 84 to control dispensing or retracting of the bagmaterial 2 to control length of the bag material 2 dispensed.

The free roller assembly 68 is disposed at the lower guide portion 76and includes multiple second rollers 90 and a second shaft 92. Thesecond rollers 90 are generally tubular shaped with inner diameters 94sized to receive the second shaft 92. The second shaft 92 extendsthrough inner diameters 94 of the tubular second rollers 90 and attachesto the support cradle 70 at apertures 95. The second rollers 90 can benon-rotatable with respect to the second shaft 92, which is rotatablydisposed at the lower guide portion 76. Alternatively, the secondrollers 90 can be rotatable with respect to the second shaft 92, whichis non-rotatably disposed at the lower guide portion 76. The free rollerassembly 68 is disposed substantially parallel with the feed rollerassembly 66. The free roller assembly 68 is located near the feed rollerassembly 66 such that the first rollers 80 can lightly contact thesecond rollers 90 but spaced at a small distance to allow the bagmaterial 2 to slide through the first and second rollers 80, 90. Whenthe roll of bag material 2 is placed on the support cradle 70, a portionof the free end of the roll can be placed on the free roller assembly68. The door section 54 is then closed, thereby positioning the feedroller assembly 66 on top of the bag material 2 and causing the firstrollers 80 to engage the second rollers 90.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cutting mechanism 8 is disposed adjacentthe support cradle 70 and is arranged to cut the bag material 2transversely across when signaled via the control panel 32. The cuttingmechanism 8 includes a threaded rod 96, a shuttle member 98, a motor100, a first sealing bumper 102 and a cutting support member 104. Thethreaded rod 96 is a rotatable rod that is threaded through the shuttlemember 98. The threaded rod 98 is a translation screw that moves theshuttle member 98 axially along the threaded rod 98 as the same threadedrod 96 rotates. The motor 100 rotates the threaded rod 96 and iselectrically connected to the control panel 32. The threaded rod 96, themotor 100 and the first sealing bumper 102 are supported by the cuttingsupport member 104.

The shuttle member 98 includes a threaded hole 106, a cutting portion108 and a guide portion 110. The threaded hole 106 includes femalethreads for mating with the translation screw threads of the threadedrod 96. Specifically, the threaded rod 96 extends through the threadedhole 106 and rotates within the threaded hole 106 to move the shuttlemember 98. The cutting portion 108 is attached to the guide portion 110and extends downwardly. The cutting portion 108 is configured to cut thebag material 2 in either direction as the shuttle member 98 movesaxially along the threaded rod 96. The cutting portion 108 includes afirst blade 112 and a second blade 114. The first and second blades 112,114 are angled from each other to ensure that the bag material 2 is cutregardless of the direction of travel of the shuttle member 98. Theguide portion 110 extends away from the threaded rod 96 and the cuttingportion 108. In this embodiment, the first and second blades 112, 114face in opposite directions (180°) to allow cutting in either directiontraversed by the shuttle member 98. The guide portion 110 is configuredto slidably engage the cutting support member 104. The guide portion 110is attached to the first sealing bumper 102 and secures it in placeabove the conditioning assembly 10.

The cutting support member 104 includes a first lateral support 116, asecond lateral support 118 and a track support 120. The track support120 is disposed between the first lateral support 116 and the secondlateral support 118. The first and second lateral supports 116, 118 alsosupport the first shaft 82 of the feed roller assembly 66. Specifically,the feed roller assembly 66 is located at lower apertures 117, 119 ofthe first and second lateral supports 116, 118. The first lateralsupport 116 is attached to a first end portion 122 of the track support120 and includes a first microswitch 124 that is attached adjacent tothe first end portion 122. The threaded rod 96 is located at upperapertures 121, 123 of the first and second lateral supports 116, 118.The motor 100 and its connection to the threaded rod 96 are supported bythe first lateral support 116. The second lateral support 118 isattached to a second end portion 126 of the track support 120 andincludes a second microswitch 128 that is attached adjacent to thesecond end portion 126. The first and second microswitches 124, 128 areelectrically connected to the motor 100 and/or the control panel 32. Thefirst and second microswitches 124, 128 are configured and arranged tosense the presence of the shuttle member 98 at the first or second endportions 122, 126, respectively. A signal is then sent to the motor 100to stop rotation of the threaded rod 96. One or more of the buttons 34of the control panel 32 is communicatively connected to the motor 100 tocontrol cutting of the bag material 2. The movement of the shuttlemember 118 may be initiated by pressing the button 34 to cut the bagmaterial 2.

The threaded rod 96 is rotatably attached to the second lateral support118. The track support 120 provides a track for the guide portion 110 toslide along so as to guide or slidably support the shuttle member 98 asit moves between the first and second lateral supports 116, 118. Thefirst sealing bumper 102 and the track support 120 are disposedsubstantially parallel to the threaded rod 96. The first sealing bumper102 is configured to dampen movement of the conditioning assembly 10 andis attached to the cutting support member 104 at the track support 120.Thus, an upper section of the track support 120 faces the shuttle member98 and a lower section of the track support 120 holds the first sealingbumper 102.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the conditioning assembly 10 includes aheater support member 130, a first vacuum chamber member 132, a firstvacuum chamber seal 134, a heater member 136 and a sensor trigger member138. The heater support member 130 is pivotably attached to the heatermember 136 and connected to the first vacuum chamber member 132. Thefirst vacuum chamber member 132 is attached at an under side of theheater support member 130. The first vacuum chamber seal 134 is attachedto the first vacuum chamber member 132 and seals at least a portion ofthe first vacuum chamber member 132. The sensor trigger member 138 isdisposed under the heater support member 130 and the first vacuumchamber member 132.

The heater support member 130 includes a beam portion 140, a first pivotarm 142 and a second pivot arm 144. The beam portion 140 is disposedbetween the first pivot arm 142 and the second pivot arm 144. The firstpivot arm 142 is attached to a first end 146 of the beam portion 140.The first pivot arm 142 extends perpendicularly to the beam portion 140and includes a first pivot pin 148 and a second pivot pin 150. The firstpivot pin 148 is disposed at an exterior face 152 of the first pivot arm142 adjacent the first end 146 and extends outwardly. The second pivotpin 150 is disposed at an opposite end of the first pivot arm 142 fromthe first pivot pin 148 at an interior face 154 of the first pivot arm142. The second pivot pin 150 extends inwardly toward the second pivotarm 144.

The second pivot arm 144 is attached to a second end 156 of the beamportion 140. The second pivot arm 144 extends perpendicularly to thebeam portion 140 and includes a third pivot pin 158 and a fourth pivotpin 160. The third pivot pin 158 is disposed at an exterior face 162 ofthe second pivot arm 144 adjacent the second end 156 and extendsoutwardly. The fourth pivot pin 160 is disposed at an opposite end ofthe second pivot arm 144 from the third pivot pin 158 at an interiorface 164 of the second pivot arm 144. The fourth pivot pin 160 extendsinwardly toward the first pivot arm 142.

The first pivot pin 148 and the third pivot pin 158 are attached to thedrive mechanism 12. The second pivot pin 150 and the fourth pivot pin160 are pivotally attached to an inner frame member 165 of the housing4. The inner frame member 165 is a stationary member that provides abase, from which the conditioning assembly 10 pivots.

The first vacuum chamber member 132 includes pressure walls 166surrounding a vacuum chamber 168 and a top portion 170. The top portion170 is attached to the pressure walls 166 and forms the top of thevacuum chamber 168. The first vacuum chamber seal 134 engages an edge ofthe pressure walls 166, which form a lip around the vacuum chamber 168.The first vacuum chamber seal 134 encircles the lip around the vacuumchamber 168.

The top portion 170 mates with the beam portion 140 of the heatersupport member 130. The top portion 170 includes a vacuum port 171, avacuum fitting 173, a first sensor 175, a second sensor 177 and a sensorupright portion 179. The vacuum port 171 is a vacuum opening extendingthrough to the vacuum chamber 168. The vacuum fitting 173 fluidlyconnects with the vacuum port 171. The vacuum fitting 173 is fluidlyconnected to a vacuum source (not shown) via a conduit (not shown) andthus, connects the vacuum port 171 with the vacuum source. The firstsensor 175 and the second sensor 177 are disposed adjacent the sensorupright portion 179 at respective opposite sides of the sensor uprightportion 179. The sensor upright portion 179 is substantially transparentand forms a wing chamber 181, described below. In this embodiment, thefirst and second sensors 175, 177 are infrared sensors that project aninfrared beam through the sensor upright portion 179 and through thewing chamber 181. Breaking of the beam by the sensor trigger member 138causes the first or second sensor 175, 177 to signal the control panel32 to start the vacuum source to begin evacuation of air from the bagmaterial 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the heater member 136 is a double-sidedheater bar for applying heat to the bag material 2. The heater member136 is pivotably attached to the beam portion 140. The heater member 136includes a first bar portion 172, a second bar portion 174 and multiplestrut portions 176. The first bar portion 172 is disposed substantiallyparallel to the second bar portion 174. The strut portions 176 aredisposed between first bar portion 172 and the second bar portion 174.The strut portions 176 connect the first bar portion 172 and the secondbar portion 174 together to form a one-piece, double-sided heater bar.

The first bar portion 172 includes a first strip heater assembly 178 andthe second bar portion 174 includes a second strip heater assembly 180.The first and second strip heater assemblies 178, 180 are attached to anexterior of the respective first and second bar portions 174, 176 suchthat the first and second strip heater assemblies 178, 180 areoppositely facing.

The first strip heater assembly 178 has a first insulation strip 182, afirst heat strip 184 and a first heat seal strip 186. The firstinsulation strip 182 is disposed between the first heat strip 184 andthe first bar portion 172. The first heat strip 184 is electricallyconnected to the control panel 32 for selective heating of the bagmaterial 2. The first heat seal strip 186 is disposed over the firstheat strip 184 to ensure easy release from the bag material 2 afterheating.

The second strip heater assembly 180 has a second insulation strip 188,a second heat strip 190 and a second heat seal strip 192. The secondinsulation strip 188 is disposed between the second heat strip 190 andthe second bar portion 174. The second heat strip 190 is electricallyconnected to the control panel 32 for selective heating of the bagmaterial 2. The second heat seal strip 192 is disposed over the secondheat strip 190 to ensure easy release form the bag material 2 afterheating.

The first and second insulation strips 182, 188 comprise one or morebands of mica, for example. The first and second heat seal strips 186,192 comprise PTFE tape, for example. The PTFE tape can be Acrylic orSilicone PTFE tape, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the sensor trigger member 138 includes a barportion 196, a first partition portion 198 and a second partitionportion 200. The first partition portion 198 and the second partitionportion 200 are pivotally disposed in the bar portion 196. The first andsecond partition portions 198, 200 extend downwardly from the barportion 196 and serve to partition an inner portion of the housing 4from that portion exposed to the bottom slot 36 b.

The first partition portion 198 has a first wing 202 extending upwardlyat an angle. The second partition portion 200 has a second wing 204extending upwardly at an angle. The first wing 202 is disposed adjacentthe second wing 204. Furthermore, the bar portion 196 includes a wingaperture 206 that the first and second wings 202, 204 extend through.With the bar portion 196 disposed in the vacuum chamber 168, the firstand second wings 202, 204 extend into the wing chamber 181. Thus, whenthe first and second partition portions 198, 200 are pivoted, by the bagmaterial 2 for example, the first and second wings 202, 204 move withinthe wing chamber 181. The first sensor 175 and the second sensor 177detect the movement of the first wing 202 and/or the second wing 204 andsignal the control panel 32 accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drive mechanism 12 includes a gear member 208and a drive member 210. The gear member 208 is operatively connected tothe drive member 210. Specifically, the drive member 210 drives the gearmember 208 which in turn pivots the conditioning assembly 10.

The gear member 208 includes a torque rod 212, a first gear 214, asecond gear 216, a first rotation arm 218 and a second rotation arm 220.The first gear 214 is attached to the torque rod 212 at one end and thesecond gear 216 is attached to the torque rod 212 at a second endopposite the first gear 214. The first gear 214 and the second gear 216are non-rotatable with respect to the torque rod 212.

The first gear 214 is attached to the first rotation arm 218 and thesecond gear 216 is attached to the second rotation arm 220. The firstgear 214 includes a first fastener base 222 extending perpendicularlyfrom an exterior face 224 of the first gear 214. The first fastener base222 is tubular shaped with a fastener aperture 226 sized to receive afastener 228. The first fastener base 222 is located off-center from acenter axis 230 of the first gear 214.

The second gear 216 includes a second fastener base 232 extendingperpendicularly from an exterior face 234 of the second gear 216. Thesecond fastener base 232 is tubular shaped with a fastener aperture 236sized to receive the fastener 228. The second fastener base 232 islocated off-center from the center axis 230 of the second gear 216.

The fastener apertures 226, 236 can have internal threads and thefastener 228 can have mating male threads. Alternatively, the fastenerapertures 226, 236 can be sized to receive the fastener 228 with afriction fit.

The first rotation arm 218 is attached to the first gear 214 via thefirst fastener base 222 and the fastener 228. The first rotation arm 218includes a first base end portion 238 and a first connection end portion240. The first base end portion 238 has a first base fastener opening242 and the first connection end portion 240 has a first connectionfastener opening 244. The fastener 228, inserted through the first basefastener opening 242, secures the first base end portion 242 to thefirst gear 214. Rotation of the first gear 214 rotates the firstrotation arm 218; however, the first rotation arm 218 is non-rotatablewith respect to the first gear 214.

The second rotation arm 220 is attached to the second gear 216 via thesecond fastener base 232 and the fastener 228. The second rotation arm220 includes a second base end portion 246 and a second connection endportion 248. The second base end portion 246 has a second base fasteneropening 250 and the second connection end portion 248 has a secondconnection fastener opening 252. The fastener 228, inserted through thesecond base fastener opening 250, secures the second base end portion246 to the second gear 216. Rotation of the second gear 216 rotates thesecond rotation arm 220; however, the second rotation arm 220 isnon-rotatable with respect to the second gear 216.

The first and second connection end portions 240, 248 are connected tothe conditioning assembly 10. Specifically, the first pin 148 ispivotally disposed within the first connection fastener opening 244 andthe third pin 158 is pivotally disposed within the second connectionfastener opening 252.

The drive member 210 engages the first gear 214 to rotate the torque rod212, the first gear 214, the second gear 216, the first rotation arm 218and the second rotation arm 220. The drive member 210 includes a drivegear 254, a drive shaft 256, a gear motor 258 and a bulk head portion260. The drive gear 254 is non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft256. The drive shaft 256 is attached to the gear motor 258. The bulkhead portion 260 supports the drive shaft 256 and/or the gear motor 258.The gear motor 258 is electrically connected to the control panel 32.

The drive gear 254 has teeth that mesh with teeth of the first gear 214to transmit torque from the gear motor 258 and drive shaft 256 so as torotate the gear member 208.

Referring to FIG. 9, the removable tray 14 includes a tray member 262, asecond vacuum chamber member 264, a second vacuum chamber seal 266, asecond sealing bumper 268 and one or more liquid sensors 270. The traymember 262 is configured to fit within the receptacle cavity 40 of thefront housing member 18. The second vacuum chamber member 264 and thesecond sealing bumper 266 are set within the tray member 262. The liquidsensors 270 are disposed at the second vacuum chamber member 264 and areelectrically connected to the control panel 32 to signal an excessiveaccumulation of liquid in the second vacuum chamber member 264. Thesecond vacuum chamber seal 266 is attached to the second vacuum chambermember 264 and seals at least a portion of the second vacuum chambermember 264. The second vacuum chamber seal 266 encircles the lip aroundthe second vacuum chamber member 264.

The tray member 262 includes at least one guide insert 272, a fingerhollow 274 and a contact head 276. The guide insert 272 is disposed at afirst side 278 of the tray member 262. The guide insert 272 is aprotrusion shaped to fit within a track (not shown) of the receptaclecavity 40, thereby guiding the tray member 262 as it slides into or outof the receptacle cavity 40. The finger hollow 274 is an opening at afront face 280 of the tray member 262. The finger hollow 274 is sizedand configured for one or more fingers of a user to grasp and pull thetray member 262 out of the receptacle cavity 40. The contact head 276 isdisposed at the first side 278 of the tray member 262. The contact head276 is positioned to contact a switch or sensor (not shown) when thetray member 262 is fully inserted into the receptacle cavity 40. Uponcontact, the switch or sensor signals the control panel 32 that normaloperations of the food storage machine 1 can begin.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, in operation, the food storage machine1 dispenses the bag material 2 from the roll with the film deliverymechanism 6 by feeding the bag material 2 between the feed rollerassembly 66 and the free roller assembly 68. The feed roller assembly 66engages the free roller assembly 68 and the bag material 2. The feeroller assembly 66, powered by the motor 84, rotates so as to pull thebag material 2 and also rotates the free roller assembly 68 along withthe roll of bag material 2.

The feed roller assembly 66 feeds the bag material 2 into the cuttingmechanism 8. The motor 100, operatively controlled by the control panel32, moves the shuttle member 98 substantially longitudinally across foodstorage machine 1, i.e., transversely across the bag material 2. Theblades 112 or 114 cut the bag material 2. The motor 100 can stop movingthe shuttle member 98 when the first or second microswitch 124, 128signal the presence of the shuttle member 98 at the first or second endportions 122, 126. At substantially the same time, the conditioningassembly 10 pivots upwardly to seal the bag material 2.

The first strip heater assembly 178 of the conditioning assembly 10 isheated (e.g. 160° C.-200° C.) to melt a portion of the bag material 2.The conditioning assembly 10 pivots to an upper position, where thefirst sealing bumper 102 meets the first strip heater assembly 178. Theconditioning assembly 10 applies pressure to the first sealing bumper102 with the first strip heater assembly 178 to clasp a portion of thebag material 2. The portion of the bag material 2 that is claspedbetween the first sealing bumper 102 and the first strip heater assembly178 is melted to form a seal. The cut and sealed bag material 2 thenslides out of the top slot 36 a. The drive mechanism 12 pivots theconditioning assembly 10 and can be controlled by the control panel 32.

After the bag material 2 that was cut and sealed is filled with foodproducts, for example, it can be inserted into the bottom slot 36 b. Asthe bag material 2 slides through the slot 36 b, it contacts the firstpartition portion 198 and/or the second partition portion 200 and causesone or more of the partition portions 198, 200 to pivot. Pivoting of thefirst and/or second partition portions 198, 200 causes movement of therespective wings 202, 204 in the wing chamber 181. Movement in the wingchamber 181 is sensed by the first and/or second sensors 175, 177, whichcan then trigger a suction source (not shown) to begin a vacuum. Thefirst and/or second sensors 175, 177 can trigger the drive mechanism 12to pivot the conditioning assembly 10 downwardly toward the removabletray 14. At a downward pivot position of the conditioning assembly 10,the second strip heater assembly 180 contacts the second sealing bumper268 and the first vacuum chamber seal 134 contacts the second vacuumchamber seal 266, thereby sealing the first and second vacuum chambermembers 132, 264 with a portion of the bag material 2 therebetween. Airin within the layers of the bag material is drawn out by the first andsecond vacuum chamber members 132, 264.

The second strip heater assembly 180 of the conditioning assembly 10 isheated (e.g. 160° C.-200° C.) to melt a portion of the bag material 2.The conditioning assembly 10 pivots downwardly to a lower position,where the second sealing bumper 268 meets the second strip heaterassembly 180. The conditioning assembly 10 applies pressure to thesecond sealing bumper 268 with the second strip heater assembly 180 toclasp a portion of the bag material 2. The portion of the bag material 2that is clasped between the second strip heater assembly 180 and thesecond sealing bumper 268 is melted to form a seal. The sealed bagmaterial 2 can then be withdrawn from the bottom slot 36 b.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 12, the vacuum remote assembly 16 is locatedat a side of the food storage machine 1. The vacuum remote assembly 16may be removed from the housing 4 and can engage receptacles forvacuuming air out of the confines of the receptacle. The vacuum remoteassembly 16 includes a retracting member (not shown), a hose member 282,a nozzle member 284 and an adapter member 286. The retracting member isdisposed in the inner cavity 60 of the housing 4. The retracting memberis common in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. Thehose member 282 is coiled around the retracting member and is retractedby the retracting member. Thus, the hose member 282 is stored or coiledin the inner cavity 60. The hose member 282 is connected to the vacuumsource at one end and connected to the nozzle member 284 at the otherend.

The nozzle member 284 and the adapter member 286 are removably disposedin the remote cavity 38. The nozzle member 284 can be directly connectedto a receptacle or can be connected to the adapter member 286. Theadapter member 286 is a tubular member and includes an inlet portion 288and an outlet portion 290. The inlet portion 288 is disposed on a distalend portion 292 of the adapter member 286 opposite the outlet portion290. The inlet 288 can mate with the remote stand 46 in the remotecavity 38. The inlet portion 288 is configured and arranged to mate witha nipple (not shown) of a receptacle or plastic bag, for example.Specifically, the inlet portion 288 can connect to canisters, containersand zipper bags, for example. The adapter member 286 includes a valve294 for a pulsing vacuum. The valve 294 aids in a marinating process offoods within the canisters, containers and zipper bags.

The vacuum source is electrically connected to the control panel 32. Oneor more of the buttons 34 of the control panel 32 is communicativelyconnected to the vacuum source. For example, one of the buttons 34 maycontrol starting and stopping the vacuum source while another one of thebuttons 34 may control starting a pulsing vacuum and stopping thepulsing vacuum.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, a food storage machine 1 in accordancewith a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of thesimilarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of thesecond embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the second embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a double prime (″).

The housing 4 includes a front housing member 18″ having the slot 36 bformed therethrough. The slot 36 b is utilized to both dispense the bagmaterial 2 and to vacuum seal the bag material 2.

In regards to dispensing, The first strip heater assembly 178 of theconditioning assembly 10 is heated (e.g. 160° C.-200° C.) to melt aportion of the bag material 2. The conditioning assembly 10 pivots untilthe first sealing bumper 102 meets the first strip heater assembly 178.The portion of the bag material 2 that is clasped between the firstsealing bumper 102 and the first strip heater assembly 178 is melted toform a seal. The cut and sealed bag material 2 then slides downwardlyalong the inside of the front housing member 18″ and out of the bottomslot 36 b.

In regards to the vacuum sealing, the bag material 2 is inserted intothe bottom slot 36 b. Air is drawn out of the bag material 2 and the bagmaterial 2 is sealed as describe above for the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 17-19, a heater member 136″ of the food storagemachine 1 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained.In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, theparts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of thefirst embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the partsof the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of thethird embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodimentmay be omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the thirdembodiment that differ from the parts of the first embodiment will beindicated with a triple prime (″).

As the drive mechanism 12 pivots the support member 130, the heatermember 136″ rotates approximately 180°. The heater member 136″ includesa rotation support portion 296, a rotation bar portion 298, a firstguide post 300 and a second guide post 302. The rotation support portion296 is attached to the beam portion 140 and supports the bar portion298. The rotation bar portion 298 is rotatably attached to the rotationsupport portion 296. The rotation bar portion 298 engages first andsecond guide posts 300 and 302, which guide the rotation bar portion 298as it rotates upwardly and downwardly.

The rotation bar portion 298 has a first strip heater assembly 178 on aface that rotates approximately 180°. The rotation bar portion 298includes a first end portion 304 and a second end portion 306, which areinserted into the first and second guide posts 300, 302, respectively.The first end portion 304 is non-rotatably attached to a gear 308. Thesecond end portion 306 is non-rotatably attached to a gear 310.

The first guide portion 300 includes a guide slot 312 and a gear 314.The second guide portion 302 includes a guide slot 316 and a gear 318.The first end portion 304, inserted in the guide slot 312, slidesupwardly and downwardly within the guide slot 312. The gear 308 engagesthe gear 314 of the first guide portion 300 as the first end portion 304slides within the guide slot 312. The second end portion 306, insertedin the guide slot 316, slides upwardly and downwardly within the guideslot 316. The gear 310 engages the gear 318 of the second guide portion302 as the second end portion 306 slides within the guide slot 316.

Meshing of the teeth of the gears 308, 310 and 314, 318 causes therotation bar portion 298 to rotate as it slides upwardly or downwardlyin the guide slots 312, 316. Thus, the rotation bar portion 298 isconfigured to rotate as the heater support member 130 with the heatermember 136″ pivots upwardly or downwardly.

In FIG. 17, the first strip heater assembly 178 is positioned upwardlyso as to engage the first seal bumper 102. The end portions 304, 306 arelocated at the top of the guide slots 308, 310.

In FIG. 18, the first strip heater assembly 178 faces forwardly towardan inner face of the front housing member 18, 18″. The end portions 304,306 are located at the approximate middle of the guide slots 308, 310.

In FIG. 19, the first strip heater assembly 178 is positioned downwardlyso as to engage the second seal bumper 268. The end portions 304, 306are located at the bottom of the guide slots 308, 310.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, and/or steps, but do not exclude thepresence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similarmeanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives.Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” whenused in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or aplurality of parts. As used herein to describe the present invention,any directional terms such as “forward, rearward, above, downward,upward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any othersimilar directional terms refer to those directions of an applianceequipped with the present invention as it sits for use on a householdcountertop. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviationof the modified term such that the end result is not significantlychanged. For example, these terms can be construed as including adeviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation wouldnot negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Thus, the foregoing descriptionsof the embodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A food storage machine comprising: a film delivery mechanism having a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material, the feed roller assembly being disposed adjacent the support cradle; a cutting mechanism disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and having a shuttle member with a cutting portion, the shuttle member being arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism; a conditioning assembly pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and having a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material; a housing having at least one slot sized for the bag material and a receptacle cavity with its opening at a front side of the housing; a removable tray slidably positioned in the receptacle cavity and configured to slide out of the receptacle cavity from the front side of the housing.
 20. The food storage machine of claim 19, wherein the heater member includes a rotation bar portion and the rotation bar portion is configured to rotate as the heater member pivots upwardly or downwardly.
 21. A food storage machine comprising: a film delivery mechanism having a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material, the feed roller assembly being disposed adjacent the support cradle; a cutting mechanism disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and having a shuttle member with a cutting portion, the shuttle member being arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism; a conditioning assembly pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and having a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material; a housing having at least one slot sized for the bag material, a remote cavity with its opening at a front side of the housing, and an inner cavity; and a vacuum remote assembly having a hose member coiled in the inner cavity of the housing, a nozzle member and an adapter member, the nozzle member and the adapter member being removably disposed in the remote cavity.
 22. The food storage machine of claim 21, wherein the adapter member includes a valve for a pulsing vacuum.
 23. The food storage machine of claim 21, wherein the heater member includes a rotation bar portion and the rotation bar portion is configured to rotate as the heater member pivots upwardly or downwardly. 